textproduct: Quad Cities

KEY MESSAGES

- Temperatures will remain below normal through the end of the week and into the weekend. This afternoon and Friday afternoon, we will see the chance for light rain showers as weak disturbances pass through.

- Cool nights in the low-mid 30s through the end of the week may result in some frost, especially for areas north of Interstate 80.

- Pattern change will bring a more active upper level pattern Sunday and beyond, resulting in increasing temperatures and chances for precipitation through the first half of next week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 236 AM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

Today and Friday will feature similar weather, as weak disturbances gyrate around the broad upper trof situated over the northeast Great Lakes Region. As these weak waves pass through each afternoon, we have the chance to see diurnal showers and isolated thunder. Best chances (20-40%) will be today, as we have better forcing, albeit weak. Although, we will continue to see low-end chances (<20%) on Friday. While much dry air remains in place, we are expecting these to be light showers, equating to low QPF <0.10". Today will feature denser cloud cover, owing to the weak frontal boundary passing through, with more diurnal cumulus on Friday. Temperatures will remain cooler through the end of the week, with our north in the upper 50s and south hovering around 60. Overall, winds will remain lighter, but still add a little chill to the air. Owing to some evaporative cooling, some gustiness can be seen within these showers, where brief gusts between 25-35 mph are possible as they pass.

Overnight, mostly clear skies will allow us to cool off quite a bit, especially in our north. Our north will see temperatures in the low-mid 30s tonight and Friday night, bringing the potential for frost. There remains some uncertainty on how much frost we will see tonight, as clouds moving in from the northwest might limit overall cooling in the north. Currently, the best chance to see frost will be north of Interstate 80, especially along/north of the Highway 30 corridor if we manage to cool enough and remain largely cloud- free.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 236 AM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

Saturday will serve as the first day of the transition to milder weather, with increasing precipitation chances after. We will see a stronger wave dig into the north central CONUS later on Saturday, which will induce stronger northwest flow over the region, effectively breaking down the aforementioned broad upper trof. From there, we will see more bouts of energy move in from the northwest, which will induce increasing llvl return flow. Thus, temperatures and moisture will be on the rise after Saturday. Mild temperatures will be seen Sunday and Monday, with much of the area in the low-mid 70s. Moisture will be on the rise, which will result in low-end PoPs Sunday through Monday as a weak shortwave passes through. Although, a widespread rainfall is not expected at this time. Rather, we can expect some spotty showers/storms passing through the area. Tuesday and beyond, the upper level pattern remains active, yet messy. A deeper wave will move into the area during this timeframe, which should bring in better chances for precipitation. This is reflected through the NBM with PoPs between 30-60%, but there remains some uncertainty owing to the timing of the wave and associated surface boundary. Thus, best to know that the potential for a more widespread rainfall is currently progged for the middle of next week, especially in our south, but some changes can be expected as we get closer.

After this deeper wave passes, we will remain under broad cyclonic flow. Thus, we will continue to see temperature fluctuations daily as weak disturbances pass, but largely remain near/below seasonal norms. Precipitation chances beyond midweek look to remain minimal, owing to cool/dry advection.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 557 AM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

A storm system will move across the area today and bring a 20 to 30 percent chance at each TAF site in a 3 to 5 hour window. Used prob30 groups for the rain shower window at each TAF site. MVFR ceilings and visibilities are possible in the strongest showers. Skies are forecast to clear from west to east after the showers pass. Winds will slowly turn from west this morning to northwest after 21 UTC.

DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

IA...None. IL...None. MO...None.